Prince William County, Virginia is rich in history. Formed in 1731, it was named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland, son of King George II. This blog is intended as a place for descendants and researchers of PWCo families to find and share information.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Miss Anna Stiff Bell, youngest daughter of Mr. George W. Bell, died Sunday morning at her home in Manassas after a long illness. She was eighteen years old and a member of the Methodist Church.

Funeral services took place Monday afternoon at Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, the pastor, Rev. J. Halpenny officiating. The hymns sung were "Meet Me There" and "My Heavenly Home is Bright and Fair," which she had selected. Interment was in the cemetery at Bradley.

Surviving members of the family are her father, three sisters, Mrs. J. I. Randall and Miss Myrtle Bell, of Manassas, and Mrs. Maximillian Goldrose, of Hillsdale, Md., and two brothers, Messrs. Charles W. Bell, of Chester, Pa., and Frank Bell, of Wellington.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

In the name of God amen I JOHN DYE JUNR. Of the County of
Prince William & State of Virginia having my proper reason & memory do
constitute this my last will and testament disallowing all other wills and
testaments by me heretofore made. And
first I recommend my soul to God who gave it, and as to my worldly property I
do give and dispose of in the following manner.

Item I give unto my daughter SARAH LEE thirty pounds which
she has already in her possession.

Item I give unto my daughter LYDIA PRIDMORE thirty pounds
which she has already in her possession.

Item I give unto my
three sons namely JAMES, JOHN & DANIEL thirty pounds each, to be paid unto
them as they come of age.

Item I give unto my beloved wife all the remainder of my
estate both real and personal during her natural life, and after her death to
be equally divided between my five children, or their heirs namely SARAH,
DYDDA, JAMES, JOHN & DANIEL. And I
do hereby othorize and appoint my beloved wife MARY my Executrix & my
friend RUTT JOHNSTON my Executor to this my last will and testament. Signed sealed & pronounced this
eighteenth day of March Anno Domi one thousand seven hundred & ninety
eight.

JOHN DYE JUNR. {seal}

JOHN KINCHELOE

WILLIAM HIXSON

WILLIAM DYE

At a Court held for Prince Wm. County the 7th Day
of May 1798

This last will and testament of JOHN DYE JR. deceased was
presented to the Court by MARY DYE and RUTT JOHNSTON the Executrix and Executor
therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the said will being
proved by the oaths of WILLIAM HIXON and WILLIAM DYE was ordered to be recorded
and the said Executrix & Executor having performed what is usual cases
certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Friday, July 25, 2014

This Indenture made and entered into this 17th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, between ALEXANDER COLE and SUSAN his wife, BASIL COLE and REBECCA C. his wife, WADY COLE, JOHN A. RATCLIFFE and DELIA his wife of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia and WILMON COLE of the County of Loudon and State afforsaid of the first part, and JOHN MUNCURE of the County of Stafford & State afforsaid of the other part.

Witnesseth that the said Alexd. Cole and Susan his wife, Basil Cole and Rebecca his wife, Wady Cole, John A. Ratcliffe and Delia his wife, & Wilmon Cole, for and in consideration of the sum of ninety dollars in hand paid to them hath granted bargained and sold aliened enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell, alien, enfeoff, and confirm unto the said John Muncure and his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the County of Prince William containing forty four acres 3 rude & 18 poles more or less and considered as follows to wit.

Beginning at a stake on long branch corner to West 2nd running with West line 78 W 146 poles to 2 black oakes and sasifas on a ridge 2nd thence S 29.30 E 100 poles to a small hickery at 3rd Thence S 15.30 W 30 poles to white oak at 4th Quantico run and binding on the meanders to stake on long branch thence up the long branche containing 44 acres 3 rude & 18 poles together with all houses profits advantages, hireditaments ways waters, & water courses with the appurtenances of every kind & nature whatever thereinto appurtaining to have and to hold the afforsaid bargained premises with their appurtenances unto the said Muncure his heirs and assigns, to the only proper use and behoof of him the sd. Muncure and of his heirs and assigns forever, and lastly the afforsaid Alexander Cole & Susan his wife Basil Cole & Rebecca his Wife Wady Cole Jno. A. Ratecliffe & Delia his wife and Wilmon Cole for themselves their heirs Executors and administrators, doth by these presents warrant and forever defend the afforsaid bargained premises with their appurtenances, unto the said Muncure and his heirs and assigns against all claims of any person or persons whatever in witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

It is with deep regret we announce the melancholy casualty by which the naval service has suddenly been deprived of a young officer of valuable promise, his associates of a companion high in their esteem, and a widowed mother and sister of one in whom their kindest affections were centered.

Midshipman Alexander L. Dade, attached to the U.S. ship North Carolina, in ordinary at the Navy Yard, Gosport, was accidentally drowned from that ship on Wednesday night last, by stepping from the bow port, as he was supposed upon the gratings in the head, but which unhappily having been removed without his knowledge during the day, he was precipitated into the river, and disappeared before assistance could be rendered.

Mr. Dade was a native of Prince William County, in this state, and a son of the late Judge Dade; he entered the naval service 1st Nov. 1827.

Every effort was made during yesterday, by dragging, firing of cannon, &c. to recover the body, but all exertion proved unsuccessful, until this afternoon, when it was effected, and received every attention from Com. Barron.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

The National Bank of Manassas was established in July 1895 and operated from 1896 to 1956. Henry Fairfax Lynn was the Bank's first president and R. H. Lynn was its vice president. It was originally located at 9406 Main Street but moved to the corner of Main and Center Streets in 1912.

1938

April 20, 1911 Manassas Democrat

December 22, 1922 Manassas Journal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When the National Bank of Manassas closed and the building was repurposed, the four front columns and the iron window bars were donated to Woodbine Baptist Church! The columns now support the church's portico and the iron bars have been reshaped into a trellis for the Woodbine cemetery.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Cornelius Johnson, colored, was injured and the workshop and storeroom of Adolphus Roy damaged by a peculiar accident on Monday morning of this week.

Johnson, who is in the employ of Mr. W. E. McCoy, cranked up a truck in a garage of the Manassas Motor Company, and as the engine started the emergency brake slipped, throwing the motor into "high." The truck rolled out of the garage building with Johnson clinging to the front of the machine between the bumper and the fender. The truck headed for the Roy building and smashed head-on into the plate-glass window facing Center street. The window was shattered, and the frame knocked out of position. Johnson escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Had it not been for the bumper on the machine he would probably have been crushed to death.

The damage done to the Roy building was repaired on Tuesday afternoon.

Monday, July 14, 2014

I EDWARD E. CARTER of Cloverland, Prince William County at
this time laboring under a serious illness at Vermont of which I apprehend the
consequence to be fatal, and being desirous of disposing of such worldly estate
as it hath pleased God to bestow on me, in the manner in which I wish it to go,
in case I do not recover, do make and ordain this my last will and testament,
hereby revoking all wills heretofore made.
Imprimis. I give devise and bequeath to my brother SHIRLY the whole of
my tract of land called Cloverland, including the mill, with all the slaves,
stocks of every kind, farming implements and all the rest of my personal
property to him and his heirs forever, he paying all my just debts. Item I give and devise to my brother CASSIUS,
that tenement now occupied by MAY WASHINGTON under a lease for lives to him and
heirs forever. Item in testimony of the
love and affection I have to my sister MARY WALKER I give and bequeath to her
one thousand dollars to be paid her by my brothers SHIRLEY and CASSIUS in equal
portions out of the property before given to them. Item I desire that my brothers SHIRLEY and
CASSIUS shall repay to my present overseer BAZIL TAYLOR in twelve months after
my decease the sum of five hundred dollars, to enable him the better to provide
for the wants of his family. Lastly I
constitute and appoint my two brothers SHIRLEY and CASSIUS Exors of this my
last will and testament. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 20th
day of Nov. 1820.

EDWD. E. CARTER
{seal}

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of

E. BROOKE, A. B. SCOTT, HENRY T. DIXON

At a Court held for Prince William County Oct 1 1821

This last will and testament of EDWARD E. CARTER decd. was
presented to the Court and being proved by the oath of EDMUND BROOKE is ordered
to be certified.

At a Court held for said County January 7th 1822.

This last will and testament of EDWD. E. CARTER decd. was
presented to the Court and being fully proved by the oath of HENRY T. DIXON is
ordered to be recorded & CHARLES SHIRLEY CARTER the Exor. named in the said
last will and testament came into Court and made oath to the same according to
law and performed what is usual in such cases certificate is granted him for
obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

The funeral of Ida Virginia Brawner, widow of John P. Brawner, who died at her residence, 113 South Alfred street, yesterday, will be held from the family residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. Edgar Carpenter, of Grace Church, conducting the services. Interment will be made in Bethel Cemetery.

Mrs. Brawner was the daughter of John A. Stonnell, and a native of Prince William county, although she has lived in Alexandria for many years. She is survived by three sons, Philip Brawner, George Brawner, and Emory Brawner, and one daughter, Mrs. Effie Clements. She was fifty-five years of age.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Frightened by an Automobile Their Horses Run Away and Trample Upon the Boys

Paul and Morris Groff narrowly escaped being instantly killed last Saturday while on their way home to Independent Hill. They were on Center street near Brown & Hoof's mill when they heard an automobile behind them. B. C. Cornwell seeing that the boys were frightened and that the animals would probably run away slowed up until he got nearly opposite the team when he shut off his engine.

The young men thinking they would be safer on the ground jumped out and ran to the animals' heads. As the machine stopped they became frightened and began to plunge, knocking the boys down, stepping on one of them and then ran across both. Morris Groff's leg was broken near the thigh while Paul was scratched about the chest and head, one of the horses stepping on his shoulder and severely bruising it.

Mr. Cornwell thinking that both boys would be instantly killed turned his head. After the team had passed over then he realized that they were severely injured. He started his machine and picking up the boys brought them to Dr. W. F. Merchant's office where their wounds were attended to and later both were removed to their home at Independent Hill.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Mr. Clarence C. Mayhugh, of Gainesville, Va., left for Camp Lee Petersburg, Wednesday where he has been called for military service in response to his country's call. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was kind hearted and loving to all whom he came in contact with; he was always ready to help those in need and we hope that this terrible conflict will soon be over and our Prince William boys will soon return home. Our sympathy goes out to all their loved ones at home. He leaves a large circle of friends far and wide and we all pray for his speedy and safe return.

-- A Friend

[Clarence Clarkson Mayhugh, the son of Rosie R. and Lee Mayhugh, served with Company C, 318th Infantry. He died January 7, 1918 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Baptist Cemetery in Gainesville, Va.]

Sunday, July 6, 2014

End Came Sunday Night -- Funeral Yesterday at Woodbine -- Postmaster and Merchant at Canova

While preparing to go to church, James Sullivan, 70 years old, a prominent citizen of Prince William county, was stricken with paralysis in his home at Canova last Sunday night at 7:30 o'clock. He died shortly after 8 o'clock Monday night. The funeral was held from Woodbine Church yesterday afternoon.

James R. Sullivan joined the Prince William Rifles, Company F, of the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry and served faithfully with the company to the surrender at Appomattox, and was twice wounded. He was made corporal and afterward sergeant.

Mr. Sullivan was postmaster at Canova, where he conducted a general merchandise store. He had been a resident of Prince William county all his life. Mr. Sullivan is survived by a daughter, Mrs. C. M. Russell, and by two grand-children, at Canova. His wife died nine years ago.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

There was a Pic Nic at the house of Mr. Sandy Davis, in Prince William county, on last Thursday, 19th inst., the consequences of which, render it worthy of note. Nearly every participant in the festivities was taken in the evening--some before leaving--some on their way home, and some after their arrival at home, with a severe spell of sickness, the symptoms of which indicated that it proceeded from some noxious ingredient, either in the "substantials" or in the drink. Doctors Hore, Wheat, Ford, Stone and Leavy, were in great demand, and compelled to travel night and day. The principal sufferers were the family of Mr. Davis, G. M. Weedon, P. T. Weedon, Charles Nelson, Walter Keys, besides the family of Mr. Mortimer Lynn and many others. Some of the medical fraternity attributed the morbus to the lemonade, made up in a whiskey barrel; others to the fresh meat, hot weather, and the profusion of delicacies, too prodigally indulged in; some again, speak of criminal intention on the part of some one, but suspicion rests on no particular person.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Little Miss Margaret Lucile Mauck, in the fourth year of her age, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Mauck, died of intestinal trouble, at the home of her parents, near Cannon's Branch, at an early hour Thursday morning. She had been ill about twenty-four hours.

The funeral services took place from Cannon's Branch Church at 10:30 a.m. today and the body of the little girl interred in Valley View cemetery.